Golf ball retriever



June 12, 1962 4M. l. STAFFORD 3,038,751

GOLF BALL RETRIEVER Filed July 14, 1961 INV ENTOR /W/aefa j.' 5M/:Mea

ATTORNEYS.

3,038,751 GULF BALL RETRIEVER Mildred I. Stafford, 6596 Racine Drive, Dallas, Tex. Filed `luly 14, 1961, Ser. No. 124,203 1 Claim. (Cl. 294-19) This invention relates to a golf ball retriever, and has as its primary object the pro-vision of an elongated member adapted to retrieve a golf ball or the like from an inaccessible position, such for example, the bottom of a body of water or the like.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device provided with a pair of spring jaws, which are substantially self-clamping upon contact with a golf ball.

A further object of the inventionfis the provision of a device of this character having a telescopic handle whereby it may be elongated or shortened, in accordance with the conditions of use.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character having over center spring pressed jaws which will be retained in open position when initially set Luntil contacted by a golf ball, or similar object, at which time they will automatically close about the ball for retrieving the same.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is an exploded perspective view of one end of the retriever of the instant invention showing the component parts;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the handle portion of the device;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational jaws;

lFIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the clamping jaws showing the spring wires associated therewith, the latter being broken away;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational View of the clamping jaws shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, land viewed from the bottom;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary reduced perspective View showing the device in open position and about to grasp a golf ball; and

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing the device clampingly engaging a golf ball.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention comprises an elongated telescopic handle, generally indicated at 10 which is comprised in the illustrative embodiment herein, of three -telescoping segments 11, 12 and 13 of successively larger diameter, and so `arranged as to -frictionally inter-engage so that the handle will remain in any extended distance. The largest or end section 13 is preferably closed at its exe tremity by an end cap 14, and may be surrounded by a rubber handle grip 15 or the like. The smallest or opposite end section is fitted at its extremity with an end plug 16, which is provided with two longitudinally extending parallel grooves 17, which `are adapted to retain the straight ends 18 of spring wire lingers 19 within the bore 20 interiorly of the end of section 11, the parts being held by friction or suitable adhesive, if desired.

The ends of spring lingers 19 are inturned as at 21, for a purpose which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The gripping jaws of the instant invention are generally View of the clamping 3,938,751 Patented June 12, 19152 Vfice indicated at 25 and comprise two complementary semicircular leaves 26, which are provided with inter-engaging reverted portions 27 forming a hinge pintle through which extends a hinge pin 28. One of the members 26 is provided at its ends with extending stops 29 to prevent overextension of the hinge portion 26 when in open position. Each member 26 has a tongue formed arcuately and integrally with the side thereof, as indicated at 30, beneath which the end portion 31 of wires 19 extends, and a slot 32 for the reception of the inwardly curved extremities 21 of the tongue. The arrangement is thus such that there is a spring linger positioned on each side of the hinge pin, and above the center diametric line of the jaws.

Inwardly extending lugs 33 are provided on each face of each jaw to retain a golf ball within the jaws when in clamped position.

In the use and operation of the device, the hinge leaves are separated, as shown in FIGURE 6, with the hinge pin 28 being depressed over center, so that the tendencies of the wire members 19 are to retain the springs in open position. As the device is lowered `over a golf ball 35, as best shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the golf ball contacts the inner side of the hinge pin and forces the hinge pintle to the jaws above the over center position so that the force of the spring fingers 19 is exerted in a direction to close the jaws firmly and with a snap action. After the jaws are closed about the golf ball, as shown in FIGURE 7, the same may be readily retrieved, and the jaws opened manually and reset for further use, if necessary.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved golf ball retriever, which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, andas many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown `and described, it is to be lunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense,

I claim:

A golf ball retriever comprising a handle having a plurality of frictionally engaged telescoping sections, a pair of diverging spring members, each secured at one of their ends to one end of said handle, the free end of each of said spring members having inturned portions, semi-circular jaw members secured to the free end of each of said spring members, each of said jaw members including arcuate tongues in overlying relation to said spring members adjacent the free ends thereof, portions of said jaw members defining slots therein to receive the inturned end portions of said spring members, hinge means connecting said jaw members, said jaw members movable to an open position, a limit stop on one of said jaw members to prevent excessive opening movement of said jaw members, said hinge means movable to an over center relation to said spring members when said jaw members are open, pressure of the ball against the `inner side of said hinge means causing said jaw members to snap closed, and oppositely disposed lingers projecting angularly inwardly from each of said jaw members to prevent displacement of a ball held therebetween.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7,709 VGaylord Oct. 8, 1850 491,642 Grith Feb. 14, 1893 1,696,817 St John Dec. 25, 1928 2,591,638 Trafton Apr. l, 1952 2,834,629 Williams May 3, 1958 

